"I can do this..." Yui paced to my right, myself sat upon a rock with one arm bent on my knee, the palm housing my chin

"Then let's give it some more time." I'd be lying if I said this wasn't already long enough

"No, no... I, I have to go!" She paced back, the ground under her hooves curving downward

Breathing through my nose and out again, I reached forward and pulled Yui to look at me, her eyes clouded with uncertainty under her hood. "Yui, you're a person, or pony in your case, I can't live without, so let me be frank with you," I sighed. "If I spend one more hour on this rock I'm going to cave my forehead in with it."

Yui slumped in my paws, ears flat. "I... I'm sorry, but this..." She waved her hoof to the hill, beyond it, the large spires of rock that stretched far and pierced the clouds. "This is my home, and I just ran away from it, my family, my..." She found her head buried against the side of my chest. "I'm conflicted about so many different things and it hurts, it's just... I... I, grah! I can't even get the right words!"

"You think I'm optimistic without a sense of realism?" She lifted her head to my confident smile. "Sure, helps when your life is a complete mess, heh, I mean, look at me, a human in the body of a Lucario wandering a world filled with -- sorry, sidetracked; Look, I'm horrible with words so punch me if this sounds stupid or cheesy. My point is, I'm confident in this because I'm confident in you, in what you want to do," I shook her shoulders gently. "You can do this because I believe in Yui who believes in me."

She sniffed, wiping her right eye. "Yeah, that was cheesy," But she chuckled, displaying that cute, fanged smile. "But it's sweet, thanks," She turned, adjusting her hood. "I'm ready... time to go home!"

"Huh, that's not good..." We made it to the top of the hill before diving behind a large boulder, our eyes glued to the entrance to this subterranean society. The large gash in the mountain was quite the entry. A large, ominous wall of basalt with a solid gate made of ash, guards situated at the front and the ramparts above, overlooking the glade ahead of them cautiously. "Are there usually guards here?"

Yui shook her head. "Not this many, and over there," She pointed to a golden sun banner next to the silver moon. "Princess Celestia's Royal Guard is here... they've never been here unless it was serious." I have an inkling this is on us but that was probably nerves talking. "Hmm, what I don't like is the ones currently stationed here..."

"Why's that?" She spun around, expression deadpanned as her back slid down the stone surface

"...My brother's stupid division is here," I held a mirthless smirk and she waved her hooves out. "Need I remind you he's one of three reasons I ran away, and the primary source," I put my paws up in defeat -- Wait, 'Three', but who's the third. She already turned around before I could make a remark. "This might not go well for you, no offense but even if its the Royal Guard, my kind are... less open to the idea of communing with ponies other than us,"

"You make it sound like you're all a bunch of racists?" I added flatly next to her, and her wing slapped the back of my head

"Not all of us, there are some dotted about the city but that's over years of trust-building, unlike ponies we aren't always so 'goody-goody' with everyone we meet," Yui laminated for me, and now I understood why me showing up when the security seems tight might not roll over well, especially since I don't have any passport with me. "Don't worry, I can handle things from here."

"You sure?" Not that I don't have faith in her, I mean, I literally just said I did not five minutes ago, but it was clear as day she was drowning in uncertainty, probably scenarios of all kinds rummaging through her head. She flipped around and pecked my cheek

"I've been faced with more attempts on my life than my brother could ever dream of, a reunion is a walk in a... minefield, yeah, I got this." Did she assure herself or me?

"I'll join you once I get their patterns and rotations mapped," I saluted her, and she hummed a laugh and grabbed her bag, trotting up the hill and to the road meeting the gateway, I just slumped back down and put my head in my paws. "Okay, Zen, you've played many stealth-related games, a little spying can't be too hard," I paused, then face-palmed. "Why didn't we buy another moon opal? Yui could have used that spell of hers!"

My eyes slithered up the stone and sighed as the gateway opened, Yui having already strolled inside. "Too late now... fantastic." Spying it is! I slid down the boulder. Luuuuurk.

Traversing the cobblestone road further into the tunnel, the faint bustle of my home lay just beyond my reach, and my chest continued to flutter, butterflies gathering in my stomach, I'd say I felt ill but that was my nerves. I felt it, trotting down this road again, hearing my hooves clop against the cave, echoing all around me as I ran in the opposite direction toward the sunlight, it was... it is painful to remember, a bittersweet memory. I had both lost and gained so much from leaving, and now, I had made up my mind, to see my parents again, and... even my brother.

I stopped just before the turn, facing some of the stalactites, droplets bouncing into the river below. "I can do this, you're an adult, Yui." My face deadpanned. Yes, an adult who has a habit of talking to herself, sweet Luna it's been rough.

Once round the bend, my legs kicked off toward the stone wall that overlooks the large, snaking road leading down into the hollowed caverns underneath Smokey Mountain, the light I had missed returning in all its orangy-gold glory. High above, and weaving between large, natural spires of stone that rose from the ground to the mountain above, large, radiant crystals infused with the magic of the stars, casting the very same night high above the city.

At the base of this wall-mounted road was the basalt obelisk gateway leading to the entry plaza. This square was lined with patches of grass, flowers, and a pond. Three main roads branching through large, elegant archways of redwood. Walls of cream-colored stone and roofs made of red tile make up the bulk of the civilization, say for the few streets where buildings were elevated onto higher plots of land, creating streets and markets like ravines.

Trees dotting the streets that I couldn't observe entirely. There was a clear divide between the sectors too. The East gate takes you directly to the residential district, to the West, the industrial, and barracks of the Night Guard. Toward the North you'll find the central business district, what a place it was too.

"I'm home... heh," Adjusting my hood and my bag, I took off down the road, the closer I get, the brighter I could smile

Despite the fact that I feel like every fiber of being is being condensed down into a black hole of despair and anxiety, there was still so much more to encompass that now. Strolling down one of the valley streets, small-time vendors, cafes, and bars dotted the many levels, Bat-Ponies by the dozens flying and walking past me, laughing and chatting at bar stands with food or enjoying the pleasant atmosphere of the underground city's vibrance that radiated off every corner of the streets. Banners and streamers linked from one end to the other for color and flare, advertisements varying among the other.

That was when my eyes locked to a small booth to my right, so with ease, I crossed through the hustle of Bats to the stall, an assortment of materials one would find random or useless at first glance under the blue and purple tarp, but in reality, this was a gold mine for myself and others of the arcane. The sign above written in bold curls and silver, 'The Looking-Glass', if I wasn't aware of this stall I'd have rolled my eyes at first sight.

"Always an eye for the unusual, this is simply wonderful to see again!" No... it can't be? My ears shot up as my eyes widened under the hood at the familiar Bat before me, and my smile only grew. Dark-grey coat with bed-ridden, silver hair, eyes concealed by a pair of round, opaque glasses. He smiled, sipping at his coffee for a second. "I welcome you back, my student."

"Professor Star! I-I, what are you doing here!?" I gawked, and he motioned with a walking cane to the contents of the store, then I found the end of the stick poking my nose

"It is simple, very simple! For while I am not working I spend my time managing small businesses and the like," He zipped across to the left to adjust some in their displays. "Yes, the pursuit of knowledge and teaching is my talent but so it the need to observe the finer details underneath, and what can and cannot be explained by simple science and logic!" He zoomed the other way to greet me again, and I tried not to giggle, he was hyperactive, and his lessons always taught you to keep up with his eccentric nature. "Please, stick around, tell me about your ventures outside the city!"

I kept my smile but shook my head. "Sorry, maybe another time, Professor, I... I came here to handle something important," Despite this, he smiled and sighed, sitting down on the steps just off the side of the stand, motioning for me to come closer

"Your family has always been a strange bunch, I-I-i remember the time someone turned your brother's mane pink and he never noticed!" That brought a laugh to us both, but he continued. "I-I didn't know what to say or do so I just... left the classroom to laugh, oh, you two were always worth teaching for!"

"Hehe, yeah, and you made studying... enjoyable," I rubbed my left forehoof against the other. "Thank you, Professor, for everything."

His cane hopped me on the head. "Now-now, we are both grown adults, no need to refer to me as your superior." Even so, I smiled, bowing my head

"I know that Professor," My eye then flicked toward the stand, and to a peculiar collection of opals. "But before I head on, mind if I buy some items? I've learned another old spell I wanted to try out."

With a gentle nod, he appeared right back where he started, motioning to the collection with the cane as I face hoofed. Oh, sweet Luna, I could have used a cloaking spell on Zen before -- grah, you idiot, Yui! Meanwhile, my Professor had been standing there, watching as I had this internal conflict, realizing this I pulled my hood closer to obstruct my face, and he chuckled

"You haven't changed much from the filly I knew," I blinked, pulling it up slightly, himself leaning forward to tap a wing to his nose. "And that isn't a bad thing, my student." His cane nudged a moon opal toward me, himself whistling while placing his hidden gaze anywhere else. And who said teachers were boring again?

Alright, take this street then left and... huh? Freezing mid-stride, I poked my head down a dark alley concealed from the buildings above by bridges and fabric, all with a strange, emerald green tone and white marking dotting the cloth. Painted across the walls were the same symbols, and my smile grew mischievously as I cleared my throat. "Don't try it, Maine, sneaking up on a poor, innocent mare."

A smooth chuckle to my right and from the darkness a light flickered to life, bathing us in a mystical green hue, the Unicorn smirking to me from atop a railing and staircase that led to the unknown beneath the streets. This 'toll' standing firm with bits and other trinkets scattered across supply crates and a bar-stand. The crowd outside this dark and foreboding light was now muffled.

The unicorn had navy fur and a short, black mane with a goatee. His blue eyes constantly shined an irreverent temperament, a smirk ever-so consistent. There was a black bandana around his forehead and much like the markings on the walls, he wore a jade cutout of the symbol as a necklace. One of the few ponies living here, and not many trust him or his intentions; Me? Well, he's a fraction of the reason I'm as good as I am.

"Well, well, well, if it ain't the little Fox, how's the outside world been treat'n ya?" His magic juggled around a green coin with the came marking in his green magic field. I leaned against the table with a smug smile

"'Bout as fruitful and as dangerous as parents would tell their foals," My smile warmed up. "I'm happy to see you again, Maine," His hoof ruffled my hood and mane

"Yeah, well the feelin's mutual, kid, looks like you've gotten yourself a sharp outlook, and a sharp tongue, though that's a given." He nodded to my appearance, hooves out wide. "Welcome back to the fray, kid, ready to play?" His magic held out the coin to me. And the offer was tempting, his, ahem, 'Game', happens to be... controversial to those that know of it, he runs it all, the magical technology, the rules, and everyone respects him for it, but there have been instances that things get... unpleasant, but despite the warnings, I still went to watch, that's when he and I actually chatted.

He found it odd in how I always snuck in, but himself and those that frequently gathered down below were more than willing to keep me around, and... they were the closest thing to friends I had, teaching me some tricks and of the game, from using my head instead of a hoof, making use of my one wing more effectively, and overall, Maine offered me a taste of the magic that he said, 'Those snobs up in Canterlot wouldn't be so high if magic were equal, so I intend on observing the eventual crossfire', my Moon Magic came from him.

Shaking my head I pushed the coin back. "Not today, visiting for a day or two with a friend," He sat back on the crate to listen as I winked, not that he can tell. "Don't worry, I have quite a few stories to share myself, Equestria's a crazy place if you know where to look."

That piqued his interest, a smirk growing with slit eyes. "Oh? Does the Fox have some tales for my age? Ha, come on, then, give ol' Maine something to share around a table or two?" He sat against the table expectantly, but I hummed, adjusting my hood

"Sorry, good sir, but the tales of monsters with acidic tails and ones capable of conjuring lightning storms will have to wait for another day," I waved jokingly, seeing his eyes glimmer with anticipation as he looked to me with an irate expression, then put his hooves up

"Alright, kid, keep your secrets," Then his magic flicked the coin for my hoof to panicky fumble for in the air, making him laugh at my glare. "There's the kid I know, stop by for a game when you need, some of these rusty idiots would have their jaws on the table at your return."

"I'll keep that in mind, seeya!" I nodded with a hoof-bump and trotted back into the flood of the streets, hearing him continue to play with the coins in his magic, the one now placed in my hoof refracting an emerald hue onto my eyes. Zen would love that place, hopefully, he can join me soon... because my next destination isn't one I'm looking forward to. Zen... I'm going to be selfish and borrow some of your stupid courage right now.

There it is... my home. A detached house compared to the rest, it stood two-stories tall and kept in a fine state year-after-year. From the outside it looks cozy. It has been built with the same design as the rest of the buildings. Tall, squared windows allow enough light to enter the home and have been added to the house in a mostly asymmetric way.

From memory I could recall it having your average rooms, only there were three bedrooms. Walking up the street I felt ghostly visages of my past going back and forth, heading through the alleyways to find Maine or explore the market only a few streets away. Passing a lamppost I took in the details further.

The building is fairly square in shape. The house is fully surrounded by a patio. The second floor is the same size as the first, but the front of it hangs over the edge of the floor below, creating an overhang on one side and a balcony on the other. The roof is low, triangular, while the rest of the surrounding area was a gorgeous garden, including various trees and flowers.

Shifting toward the white fence my heart froze at the sight of ponies moving inside, familiar shapes that no amount of years could remove. They were just a few feet away, a doorway separating us as I stepped up onto the patio, a heavy feeling resting on my chest. This was it, just... had to knock on the door... the same I left without another word...

"You're always like this! What else are you going to do in your life, huh!? Waste it out there, without making anything of yourself!?" Vega bellowed in my face, this was almost the norm, and with both our parents still working we were alone without the parental restraints pulling us apart, and tonight was the final straw

"Oh, I'm making nothing of myself?" I motioned to myself, scoffing. "Says the idiot who acts more like a stuck-up noble from Canterlot because he has some fancy, shiny armor, and muscles, oh, well done on becoming an idol, you self-absorbed blood-sucker!" He looked shocked by the racist insult like I care

"I make a difference, for our kind, for Equestria! To serve next to Princess Luna is the highest of honors, something you could be if you just--"

"Just what, huh!?" I snapped, shoving my hoof against his chest. "Just give up on the skills I have, the passions I have!? Becoming a mindless, hoof-kissing lunatic like you!? Waste my years cooped up in some shiny castle up on a mountain when I could be exploring the world, discovering Equestria's lost secrets and rebuilding a world forgotten by Ponykind!?" My blood was seething, and my throat was hoarse from yelling

His brow twitched, and he finally put his hoof down. "Do you want to end up like Grandad, risking your life for some... pointless glory?" That line had my breath catch as I froze in my pace, staring back at my brother who just continued to yell despite his ignorance in his words, but it was all white noise to me, the bangs of my mane covering both my eyes

"...how dare you..." My murmur shut him, alongside the sharp crack of my hoof against his muzzle that threw him against a small table, knocking both himself and the small piece of furniture over in shock as his nose ran with blood. He didn't dare speak, tears flooding my eyes as they left no trace other than scorn for the pony below me. "Dad doesn't so much as say 'hello' to me... Grandad acted more like my Dad at the very end... and you find it in your heart to use his name mockingly?"

"I--"

"Shut up!!" I threw back the small table he picked up, still cradling his broken, bloodied nose. "Don't you ever say that about him; Mom and Grandad are all I have left! You want to take my Mom from me too when she gets back!?" I shoved my hoof against his chest again. "Convince her to send me off to your stupid Princess like a good little slave!?" I stomped toward the door, grabbing my empty bag. "I'd rather die than give a single ounce of my energy toward serving her... don't ever call me your sister again... we're not siblings... we haven't been for a long time..." My voice broke while I swung the door back. "Goodbye... Vega."

"No, where... where are you -- Wait, Yui!" By the time he figured it out, I had ran from my home, tears streaming down my face by the time I found the cynical Maine, from there, I got together some supplies and ran from Blackrock Hollow

I hesitated, my hoof removing itself from the door as I stepped back. That night was the last time I ran through this door, from my old life. What would have happened? Would we still be fighting? Would I stop fighting it and join the Night Guard? There was no reason to question that now, even if that's still his intentions I don't plan on turning my back now, I have a life I'm proud of, and with Zen, we've saved lives and fought monsters that would otherwise threaten Equestria. Hmph, where was the 'Honorable Night Guard' when they attacked Ponyville?

Stopping at the lip of the step, I took one look behind me, imagining Zen standing with that dumb smile of his, holding a thumb up to assure me everything was okay, that alone was enough for me to smile at. Again, I hesitated, hoof inching away from the door's wooden detailing.

I bit my lip, feeling my bones root to the ground as I heard the hoof-steps behind the door, each made me tremble like my heart, and even with words and sentences of what I should say, it all ended as a jumbled mess. The handle was pulled and the door swayed back in tandem with my hood.

To greet me was a light grey mare with a long, beautiful violet mane, the tail just as amazing. Under her bangs, my eyes reflected off of her own, scarlet orbs as they blinked, taking in my probably nervous expression as I begged my lips to move, to say something, anything! But I couldn't, no matter how many times I thought of it, what to say or do, it all fell apart under one, simple fact. What can I say? What words can even begin to make up for two years, vanishing off the face of Equestria?

The older mare... my Mom's eyes widened for a brief moment, but her muzzle remained shut, taking in my posture and my rouge-like aesthetic, I probably look like a mess. Slowly, I tried to register the tiny, motherly smile crossing her face. "Look at me..." I did as I was told, lifting my eyes to see her hoof press to my cheek, and I felt no inch of my body move, my heart had skipped a beat. "...You've gotten so much bigger..."

Dammit... my legs caught up to me as I embraced my Mom without question, her own hooves pulling me in closer as I buried my face into her shoulder. Sniffing back the tears I smiled, pulling away. "I'm sorry I took so long to come back..." Her hoof reached up to tap against my forehead, herself holding in a laugh

"Don't you start apologizing now," She hugged me again, stroking my mane. "You're home, my little filly is home and that's all I care about." She bent her neck back momentarily. "One second -- Hey, Caleb, get your butt over here!" That made me giggle as I heard more hoof steps approach, and I almost shrunk back out the door if not for two moves pushing me into the surroundings I had almost forgotten the look of. "It's okay, I promise." Reassuring as Zen, that's what kept me here, the assurance of my choices, if not for Zen I'd never have considered this

Stepping in from the hallway to the back left of the house, a stallion with a matching coat and tint of leathery wings. He wore a blue scarf too, just roughly hiding a long scar to the left side of his neck and cheek. His mane was a messy ash-grey, eyes a cool lilac coloration. He wore a rather stoic expression, it almost never changed but right now, I saw the faintest of surprise overcome the fixed frown, contorted to wonder as I stood still, scratching the back of my head.

Keeping my eyes adverted a held a sheepish smile. "Uh... hi," I breathed. "I'm... sure you have alot to say to me, huh?" I heard hooves pick up and soon I was pulled back into a tight hug as I just stared ahead in shock.

I didn't know if I should return it or just stand there or even yell. Why, why was it now he cared? I was so scared and alone that I only had Mom and my Grandad... they were the only ones who gave me a chance... so why? "I..."

His hoof patted my head. "...there is no excuse someone like me has... because I let my own feelings cloud what I desired most in my life..." His hold grew, and so did the beating in my heart, I bit my lip to hold back the gates. "...I should have supported you..."

A tear broke free, "I was so scared, I... after Grandad... after he..." I couldn't even say it, hearing Zen say all those things back in the Everfree I... I wish he was still here... "I just felt so alone..."

"I know... I hate how it took losing you for it to finally sink through my thick skull," I heard him chuckle as he pulled away, facing my Mom. "Your Mother helped hammer the last nail in."

"And let me tell you, not the first time I've had to do that," She huffed with a sly smile. Both then hugged me together as I relaxed, those feelings before melting at the stupidity of my worry, but justified in some way until now. It would take alot more to undo all the sour memories, but this was one I wouldn't let bitter under the past

"Hey," ... "What's going on -- Y-Yui?" Pulling away from my parents I faced the final pony, and undoubtedly the most I felt conflicted about, this is what I get for not thinking ahead to get Zen inside the city but I guess he would have told me this was my issue to face alone, and I will

My brother stood, same grey fur only his eyes were our Mom's, his mane was a dark purple, spiked up while his tail remained combed. He was wearing the silver and midnight blue armor I have grown to dislike, he wore it so proudly too. From the expression he wasn't expecting me, completely flabbergasted for a mere moment before the sternness in his face returned.

If I wasn't so quick to observe I'd have missed him flap his wings to make a B-line for me, his hooves picking me up into a hug as his smile returned, and despite everything I did too, laughing in his hug after he finished his spin through the air, setting us down. "So, the little rouge decided to return home,"

"Aw, did someone miss me tormenting him?" I cooed, ruffling his mane and ruining the style completely. I swore my Mom wiped a bead of sweat from her brow as our Dad sighed, I don't blame them. Both of us took a step back as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully

"You've grown so much, hardly the 'little flower' I remember," From his tone it wasn't a bad thing as he waved his hoof. "It doesn't matter if you've changed, you're still my sister." Now that I had to hold back on a foul memory of. "Still, what brought you back?"

"That I think we all would like to hear," Dad replied evenly, or until all our ears flicked toward the sound of a hoof knocking on the vacant front door. "Yes, come in?"

It was the mare, Topaz Cut, right-hoof of Captain Armor of the Royal Guard. She looked ragged though, or until she spotted me with a bright glint of anger in her eyes as I shuffled back with a nervous laugh. "Hello again, sorry I didn't give an introduction but we were on a tight schedule." I held a toothy smile as she stomped toward us. "You're not still hung up on the whole, running away thing...?"

"Ah-hah! Told the Captain I might find you both here!" She grinned with a mad look in her eye, then frowned as she looked around my home. "Uh... well, found one of you -- Hold on, I had something to say to you both but one's good enough!"

"You!" She started to recite, "... do you and that... smart, smug... irritating friend of yours understand how hard it was to explain to the Princesses," She stood before me, stomping her hoof angrily like a child throwing a tantrum. "You know? The two monarchs of Equestria? Why I couldn't so much as complete a simple escort!?" She was inches from my own muzzle as I smiled happily

"Nope because by then we were probably miles from Ponyville, sorry~" I waved, my family, watching me with eyes wanting more answers, but then Topaz sighed, standing back. "Just for the record, Zen isn't here right now so you're out of luck if you expect me to rat him out."

To her grumble she nodded. "Yeah, I expect as much, you both ran the last time, no, I'm working here with the Night Guard, more specifically with him." She poked a hoof at my brother, oh great...

She rubbed a hoof down her muzzle bitterly, then gulped at the sight of my brother's impatient hoof-tapping. "Uh, right! Yeah, sorry, I... weeeee may have a small, big, massive problem, ehehehe..."

Whatever tension that had built popped with her notion. Before a voice could prod for more information, the answer bellowed like a warhorn across Blackrock. A scream that stretched like a while with a banshee's wail added in, there was just no other way to describe such a horrific noise that pierced our eardrums. Topaz shook her head, rubbing her left ear.

Indomitable

by Slendy

Chp. 19 - Homecoming